Microwave yellow squash is a delicious and simple way to make your favorite summer squash side dish. Cooked, seasoned, and ready in under 5 minutes!
Recipe: $2.29 | Per Serving: $0.57 | Servings: 4
Microwaving yellow squash is an easy way to make your favorite veggies whether you're home or away. Imagine the hotel meals, dorm room, or uses for this simple steamed squash recipe when the oven breaks down.
We love microwave recipes because the convenience is always appreciated. From Microwave Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes and Microwave Grilled Cheese to Chocolate Drizzled Popcorn, we always find a reason to keep the microwave in use. But steaming vegetables is our favorite way to use it, and is what w use it for most often.
Yellow squash is known for its mild flavor and tender texture, but it becomes even more delicious when steamed to perfection. This cooking method preserves the natural sweetness of the squash and enhances its vibrant color, making it a wonderful addition to your plate.
If you love summer squash, make sure to check out these Summer Squash Recipes and my Instant Pot Zucchini!
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🍯 Why This Recipe Works
- It's simple. All you need is plastic wrap, a bowl, water, and your favorite summer squash! Once you know how to microwave summer squash you'll never want to cook it any other way again!
- It's efficient. Steamed vegetables in the microwave save me so much time and effort that they're often a go-to when I need a veggie on the dinner plate. You're going to LOVE this microwaved summer squash recipe!
- It's frugal. This recipe is pretty cheap to throw together and even more so if you grow the yellow squash in your garden! Of course, if you have zucchini on hand, I'd recommend using them in our Zucchini Penne Pasta, Amish Zucchini Bread, and Old Fashioned Zucchini Bread.
🥘 Ingredients
Ingredient Notes:
Yellow Squash- You will need some fresh yellow squash for this recipe. Make sure to wash them well before use.
Water- You will need some water to steam the squash in, but the actual amount will vary based on the size of your bowl.
For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.
🔪 Instructions for Microwave Yellow Squash
Step 1: Wash and slice the yellow squash. Add to a microwave-safe bowl.
Step 2: Chop your onion and add it to the bowl of squash.
Step 3: Add in just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl by about ½ inch to 1 inch.
Step 4: Cover the top of the bowl well with Cling Wrap and then microwave for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add additional time in 30 seconds- 1-minute increments if you want them cooked more.
Step 5: Drain the water and add in the seasonings, toss well.
Serve warm.
🍴 Recipe Tips
- Safety First- Use microwave-safe cling wrap and bowls to cook yellow squash in the microwave. Not all materials are safe for microwave use, so be sure to check.
- Adjust for Variations- Microwave strengths vary, so cooking times may differ. Aim for a slightly translucent appearance, with a firm outer texture and soft center.
- Water Level- Add water to cover the bottom of the bowl, about ½ to 1 inch deep. This provides ample moisture for steaming without submerging the squash. Adjust as needed based on personal preference.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Use a combination of yellow squash and zucchini or one or the other, depending on what you have on hand.
Yellow squash is a good source of fiber and vitamins like A, B6, and C. They also have a decent amount of potassium. They're a nutritional veggie that's often very affordable when in season in the Fall.
You can cut and prep your yellow squash and onion bowl and cover it in the fridge up to a day in advance. You can also slice the yellow squash and simply keep it in a Ziploc for about 1-2 days before cooking, but keep in mind it may dry out if not properly sealed.
❤️ More Delicious Side Dish Recipes
If you tried this Microwave Yellow Squash, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Microwave Yellow Squash
Ingredients
- 2 medium yellow squash, sliced ($1.78)
- ½ small onion, chopped ($0.45)
- 1 cup water (possibly less!) ($0.00)
- ½ teaspoon salt ($0.01)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper ($0.01)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ($0.02)
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning ($0.02)
Instructions
- Wash and slice your yellow squash and stick them in a microwave safe bowl.
- Chop onion and add to bowl.
- Add in just enough water to get the bottom of the bowl covered. It should look about ½-1 inch tall with the onions and squash in the bowl.
- Cover the top with Cling Wrap and then microwave for 3-4 minutes until soft. You can add additional 30 second-1 minute increments if you want them cooked more.
- Drain water and add in seasonings. Toss to coat.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Make sure to use microwave-safe cling wrap and a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwaves vary in strength so the time needed to cook your squash may vary. The goal is to have it look slightly translucent (or as translucent as you want). You can always add another 30 seconds- 1 minute and check on it if it's not done to your liking.
- The water is added by sight, not by actual measure. You want just enough to cover the bottom of the bowl, by about ½-1 inch of depth.
Renee says
I haven’t made this yet but I’m looking at the nutrition since I’m on keto. The serving size says 1 scoop— how much is that 1/4 cup?? Looks good. Thanks
Nicole says
It's about a heaping 1/4 cup of cooked squash.